Hawaiian time
- noun
- /həˈwaɪən taɪm/
- Informal
:
hora hawaiana
- Don't worry if the meeting starts late; it's just Hawaiian time.
Examples
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Since moving to Maui, I've learned to appreciate Hawaiian time and enjoy a slower pace of life.
-
When you visit the islands, you'll notice that everyone seems to operate on Hawaiian time.
-
Let's meet at 3 PM, but remember it's Hawaiian time!
-
Living on Hawaiian time means you don't rush anywhere.
-
Don't worry if the meeting starts late; it's just Hawaiian time.
-
When you visit the islands, you'll notice that everyone seems to operate on Hawaiian time.
-
Living on Hawaiian time means you don't rush anywhere.
Synonyms
A relaxed way of keeping time when people often arrive late
A joking way to say people often arrive later than planned in Samoa
A relaxed way of managing time in Fiji where being late is not a problem
A relaxed way of planning time and events common in Pacific island cultures
A relaxed way of keeping time where being late is normal
A relaxed, slow way of living where schedules are not strict
A relaxed way of living that does not follow strict schedules
A relaxed approach to schedules where people often arrive late
A relaxed view of time in Puerto Rico where events often start later than planned
How Relaxed
- Informal
1
9.9
- Informal
1
4.5
321
1.0
27
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'Hawaiian' (of Hawaii) and 'time' make it clear the phrase refers to time associated with Hawaii, so learners can guess a locale-specific sense. However, the specific nuance — a culturally grounded, informal tolerance for lateness — depends on cultural knowledge and is not strictly derivable from the words, making the expression partially but not fully predictable.
Etymology
Hawaiian time comes from island life in Hawaii, where Hawaiian days move slowly and time feels relaxed, so events often start later than planned. That's why Hawaiian time means being easy about clocks and schedules, or 'not strictly on time'.